Fantasia Film Festival - Venefica
Penelope is a modern-day witch - a Venefica, to be exact. Today, she must undergo the mystical - and potentially deadly - rite of passage that determines whether her magic is to be used for good or for evil.
interview with Writer/Director/Lead Maria Wilson
Watch Venefica on Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks! My co-producers (Hannah Whitney, Tess Harrison) and I have been working actresses for years and were really itching to jump behind the camera for the first time. So, when we got the chance to film on this beautiful, isolated lake property for free, we went full steam ahead. On a shared micro-budget of $3000, we shot three short films - dubbed “The Lake Shorts” - in one week, with the help of a small, amazing crew.
The stories in each film are totally independent and we each wrote, directed, and starred in our own short. I have a deep-seated love for sci-fi/fantasy and I stubbornly refuse to give up on magic. So, when I saw how eerily enchanting this lake and the surrounding forest was, the idea of a witch thriller was basically a no-brainer.
During the writing process, I was at a frustrating point in my life where other people’s decisions were having huge impacts on my future and that sudden lack of control was hard to deal with. I ended up creating this story about Penelope, a young witch who must endure a difficult rite of passage to learn whether her powers will be used for good or for evil - an outcome she has no say in because the magic decides for her.
I cast myself in the role not only because black and multi-racial women are highly underrepresented in film, but also because I resonated with the character (obviously). Ironically enough, despite its dark and creepy nature, I’m really comforted every time I watch Venefica simply because I’m reminded that I don’t have to go through what Penelope does. It’s extremely empowering to be reminded of your own free will.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think you’ll dig the down-to-earth nature of Venefica. I thought it’d be refreshing to create a genre thriller that was very naturalistic and not too showy. Also - witches and magic, dude!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think a lot of people can relate to “coming-of-age” and the consequences of going down one path versus another. Honestly, I try not to think about what’s universal or not because it can lead to overgeneralizations. I just expose a bit of my interior world and hope that somebody out there goes “yeah, I feel you.” And if not, then at some point I guess I should get on my spaceship and fly home.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Oh boy. I wrote one script, shot another script, and then, in post, I ripped it all to shreds and constructed something entirely different. Most of the talking in the film was cut. I felt like the audience should have room to draw some of their own conclusions.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I showed my mom, and she called it “...disturbing.” So I think I’m on a good track! No, but she loves it and she’s the person whose feedback I care about the most since she’s the most magical person I know, so I’m pretty happy about that.
In general though, the feedback has been pretty amazing. Because there’s not much talking in Venefica, there’s a lot of diversity in the moments that have stuck with viewers. People have made correlations, or asked questions that pushed the boundaries of the film’s world in ways I couldn’t have even predicted - about the magic, or the relationships, or the rules of the “witch stuff.” It’s kind of like watching a coloring book get filled in, or having new pages added entirely.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I’m just amazed by how many people resonated with the film. Fantasia Int’l. Film Festival, especially, was this giant whirlwind of love and excitement that totally swept me off my feet. So, actually, I guess I won’t be boarding my spaceship anytime soon. I’ve made some friends here.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I really love creating stories, and am hoping the exposure leads to more opportunities to do so. Plus, promoting minorities and women in film is awesome.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I’m currently interested in working with producers/production companies who can help get future projects off the ground. And of course, I’m eager to screen at more festivals to share Venefica with new audiences.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
"Why aren’t we seeing more women making badass genre films?”
Would you like to add anything else?
There are many variations to the question I just offered above, all of which hinge on a desire to see more diversity in every aspect of filmmaking, and all of which should be asked and acted upon in order to promote positive change.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now I’m in post on my second short film, acting in various film projects, and working towards pre-production on a retro sci-fi intergalactic adventure series I created that’s been 15 months in the making and will blow your mind supernova style.
Co-star, Will Harrison, is currently training in the drama conservatory program at
Carnegie Mellon.
Co-producer Tess Harrison has made two more films since the “Lake Shorts” wrapped production (both of which are in post!), has started to delve into directing music videos, is acting in several film projects, and is already getting ready to shoot her third short film because she is part human, part rocketship.
Co-producer Hannah Whitney is in post on her second short film, acting in various film and theater projects, and is working on some comedic stuff that will make you poop your pants, in a good way. Hannah and I are also getting ready to launch “Genny, Genny” - a website that showcases our microshorts/visual projects and also promotes the work of other female generators (Gennys) across different genres of art.
And last but not least: Tess, Hannah, and I are gearing up to do the “Lake Shorts” again - this time in a new location, but probably still in a crazy short amount of time.
Interview: July 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
_______________________________________________________________________________
Venefica
Penelope is a modern-day witch - a Venefica, to be exact. Today, she must undergo the mystical - and potentially deadly - rite of passage that determines whether her magic is to be used for good or for evil.
Length: 7.5 minutes
Writer, Director, Lead: Maria Wilson
Producer: Maria Wilson, Tess Harrison, Hannah Whitney
Maria Wilson is a writer, actress and filmmaker based in New York. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, recent acting work includes several independent films and a 2015 Off-Broadway run. “Venefica” is her first short film. Completed in 2016, it has so far screened at six festivals and won five awards.
Tess Harrison is an actress and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Her 2015 short film, “It’s Perfect Here,” has screened at six festivals and won two awards, including Best Narrative Short at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Recent acting work includes several independent films and a webseries that premiered at OutFest 2016.
Hannah Whitney is an actress, singer, and filmmaker based in New York. Her 2015 short film, “Dummy Baby,” has so far screened at two festivals and won two awards. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she has performed extensively in New York and around the world.
Key cast: Maria Wilson, Will Harrison
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Up next is the El Dorado Film Festival in Arkansas.
Visit the facebook page: www.facebook.com/veneficafilm
Visit the official website: www.veneficafilm.com
Instagram/Twitter: @mariacwilson / @mariawiison